Dry mop construction



April 1962 J. w. BEAN 3,027,584

DRY MOP CONSTRUCTION Filed March 17, 1959 fat /N 5 N TOP 42 36 JOHN M4 BEAN A T TORNEVS United States Patent Ofitice 3,027,584 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 Brush Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Mar. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 800,017 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-229) This invention relates to dry mops of the general type wherein a plurality of mopping elements are secured to a backing strip or tape to form a mop swatch, and wherein there is provided a suitable frame which is attached to an end of an operating handle and to which the backing strip or tape is connected to hold the mop swatch in operative position.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of a frame and mop swatch in a mop of the type mentioned whereby to provide for a simple and easily assembled yet positive connection between the frame and the backing strip or tape of the mop swatch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a frame and mop swatch assembly of the above referred to improved construction which is sturdy and durable yet particularly well suited to low-cost quantity production.

The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawing and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mop embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mop with the handle omitted, this view being partially in section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 with background parts omitted.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a frame which is formed with at least one open-bottom groove of substantially uniform cross section from end to end and which is narrowest adjacent its bottom and has at least one open end. There is also provided a mop swatch or mop unit which comprises an elongated core member and a flexible tape folded lengthwise around said core member with its side edge portions depending from the member and being connected below the same with each other and with a plurality of mopping elements. Said mopping elements depend, in turn, from the depending side edge portions of the tape. The core member and the folded tape of the mop unit are entered endwise in the frame groove and extend substantially throughout the length thereof with the folded portion of the tape around the core member engaging the side walls of the groove above the narrowest portion thereof to provide a positive connection between the frame and the mop unit. The depending side edge portions of the tape extend through and substantially below the open bottom of the groove and support the mopping elements in operative position beneath the frame.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be observed that the mop shown therein comprises a rigid elongated frame 10. The length of the frame may be varied as required for mops of different sizes. Preferably, the frame 10 is of unitary construction and is formed by an extrusion process, but the invention is not so limited. Two longitudinal open-bottom grooves 12, 12 which are narrowest adjacent their bottoms and open at their ends are taken along the formed in the frame 10 in the embodiment of the invention shown. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the grooves 12 is defined between a first pair of downwardly projecting longitudinal flanges comprising inner and outer flanges 14 and 16. The other groove 12 is defined between a second pair of similar flanges comprising an inner flange 18 and an outer flange 20. As shown, the two pairs of flanges 14, 16 and 18, 20 are shaped to provide two longitudinal grooves 12, 12 which are partially circular in cross section and which open at their bottoms through arcs of less than Stated differently, the said flanges are shaped to provide grooves with crosssectional configurations in the form of segments of circles having included arcs greater than 180 but less than 360. As shown, the inner flanges are spaced apart and a central portion of the inner flange 14 is removed to provide an opening 22 which communicates transversely with the groove 12 associated with said flange and a central portion of the inner flange 18 is removed to provide an opening 24 which communicates transversely with the other groove 12. Provision of the openings 22 and 24, however, is optional as will be seen hereinafter.

The frame 10 is preferably also provided with two similar upstanding longitudinal flanges 26, 26 which extend respectively along the side edges of the frame 10 throughout its length. Located centrally in the frame is a vertically extending circular opening 28 and located adjacent each end of said frame on its longitudinal centerline is a vertically extending threaded opening 30. The flanges 26, 26 the end openings 30, 30, and the central opening 28 serve purposes to be set forth hereinafter.

A mop swatch or mop unit is indicated generally at 32 in the drawing and includes an elongated core member 34. When a frame is provided with two longitudinal grooves of partially circular cross section, such as the grooves 12, 12 in the frame 10, the core member 34 is flexible and is provided as shown with a circular cross section of diameter slightly less than that of the grooves. While a flexible plastic wire of circular cross section is presently preferred, the material of which the core member is formed is subject to wide variation. The length of said member may be varied as required for mops of different sizes and types.

A flexible tape indicated generally at 36 is folded lengthwise around the core member 34. While the invention is not so limited, the tape 36 is shown as being folded around said core member along its longitudinal centerline. The tape 36 extends through the length of the core member 34 with depending side edge portions 38, 38 thereof connected together below said member. As shown, the side edge portions 38, 38 of the tape are stitched together in engagement with each other along a longitudinal line 40 immediately below the core member 34 so as to hold the folded portion of the tape tightly closed around said member. While a wide variety of tape materials may be used, it is presently preferred to utilize a vinyl coated nylon fabric.

Connected to the depending portions 38, 38 of the tape 36 are a plurality of flexible elongated mopping elements 42, 42. The mopping elements 42, 42 may comprise strands of cotton yarn, or other suitable mopping material. The manner in which said elements 42, 42 are connected to the tape 36 may vary within the scope of the invention, but preferably each of said elements is stitched between its ends at one side of the tape portions 38, 38, as indicated at 44, 44, to the said portions of this tape and each element is looped adjacent and above its stitched portion so that its ends depend therefrom. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the mopping elements 42, 42 are stitched to the tape at points spaced from their centers so as to form adjacent rows of depending end portions of mopping elements with the element end portions. in each...row of substantially equal length but with the element end portions in one row substantially longer than those in the other row.

When the mop frame is formed as shownanddescribed, the core member 34 with the tape 36 folded therearound and carrying the mopping elements 42; 42 is entered endwise in. the grooves 12, 12 of the frame so that its ends are adjacent each other between the ends of one of said grooves and so that it extends in opposite directions through said one groove and from opposite ends thereof into opposite ends of the other groove and through the latter. The folded portion of the tape 36 around the core member 34 substantially fits the grooves 12, 12 and is in frictional engagement with the walls thereof. Thus, endwise and/or downward movement of the core member and tape is prevented and a positive connection between the frame and the mop unit is effected, the mopping elements being supported in operative position by the depending portions 38, 38 of the tape. As shown, the row of mopping element end portions which includes the shorter end portions of said elements is disposed inwardly of the row of element end portions including the longer end portions.

It is contemplated that the friction between the groove walls and the folded portion of the tape will be sufiicient to prevent disengagement of the mop unit from the frame. However, when an even more positive connection between themop unit and frame is desired, an opening, such as that shown at 24, may be provided and the adjacent ends 45, 45 of the core member 34 with the tape 36 folded therearound maybe bent transversely into said opening and into engagement with each other as best illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be apparent that such an arrangement is particularly effective inpreventing endwise movement of the .core member and tape relative to the grooves in the frame. Obviously, when grooves having cross-section configurations other than those shown are provided, a suitable opening in the side wall of one of the grooves may be provided in various way-s. It will be further obvious that said opening need not be centrally located between the'ends of the said groove.

In the mop shown, the portions of the core member '34 and tape 36 which extend from opposite ends of one groove 12 into opposite ends of the other groove 12" project outwardly from the ends of the frame' and each of said portions is looped from the end of said one groove to the endof said other groove. In order to cover the said projecting portions of the core member and tape, there are preferably provided two similar bumpers 46, 46. The bumpers 46. 46 are fixedly supported respectively at opposite ends of the frame 10 and project outwardly above said projecting portions of the core member and tape. As shown, each bumper 46 comprises a semi-circular outer portion 48 which covers the projecting portion of the core member and tape and an integral rectangular inner portion 50. The transverse dimension of the rectangular portion 50 is such that the said portion engages the end portions of theupstanding flanges. 26, 2.6 when the bumper is fixedly supported at the end of the frame 10. Engagement of the rectangular portion 50 of the-bumper with the end portions of the flanges 26, 26 prevents pivotal movement of the bumper about a screw 52 whch connects said bumper to the frame. The screws 52, 52 extend vertically through suitable openings in the rectangular portions 50, 50 of the bumpers and are threaded into the aforementioned openings 30,-30 adjacent the ends of the frame 10.. Inwardly facing shoulders 54, '54 at opposite sidesof each bumper engage the ends of the flanges 26, 26 when the bumper is properly positioned on the end of the frame to facilitate alignment of the opening in the rectangular portion-'50 of the bumper with the threaded opening 30 in the frame.

An elongated operating handle 56 is attached to the frame 10 with its axis extending transversely of said frameby means ofasuitable connectingmeans. The connecting means comprises a..member 58 fixedly secured to an end of the handle 56 and formed with an opening 60 adapted to receive a bolt 62. The bolt 62 has its head disposed beneath a central portion of the frame 10 partially in the openings 22 and 24 and in engagement with the lower surface of said frame. The threaded portion of said bolt extends upwardly through the aforementioned central opening 28 in the frame, through a resilient washer 63 disposed between the frame and the member 58, and through the opening 60 in the member 58. A wing nut 64 threaded on'the upwardly projectingaend portion of. the bolt 62.draws the member 58 downwardly into engagement with the frame 10. When the said member is drawn into engagement with the. frame 10, shoulders 66, 66 formed thereonengage the upstandingflanges26, 26 on said frame to prevent pivotal movement of said member about the-bolt 62 and.

thus prevent movement ofthe handle56 relative to the frame.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that animproved frame and mop swatch construction have been provided. Obviously, connection between the frame 10 v and the mop unit or mop swatch 32 may be easily effected by threading the core member 34 with the tape 36 folded therearound and carrying the mopping elements 42, 42mm the grooves 12,12 in endwise fashion to the position shown. When the core member and folded portion of the tape are so entered in the grooves, they a-repositivelyretained thereinas described and the mopping elements aresupported bythe tape in opera-.

toms and open at their ends, said frame also being provided with two spaced apart upstanding longitudinal flanges disposed on its upper surface and substantially along its side edges, a'mop unit comprising an elongated flexible core member and a flexible tape folded lengthwise around said core member with its side edge portions depending from the member and being connected below the same with eachother and with a plurality of mopping elements which in turn depend therefrom, the core member and folded tape of said mop unit being entered endwise in the grooves in said frame so that its ends are adjacent each other between the ends of one of said grooves and so that it extends in opposite directions through said groove and from opposite ends thereof beyond the ends of the frame and then into opposite ends of the other groove and through the latter, the folded portion of the tape around said core member engaging the side walls of the grooves above the narrowest portions thereof and the side edge portions of said tape depending therefrom through. the open bottoms of the grooves and supporting the mopping elements therebeneath, two bumpers fixedly supported respectively at opposite-endsof saidframe and projecting outwardly beyond said frame ends above the portions of said mop unit whichextend beyond the frame ends, eachof said bumpers having an inner portion which fits between adjacent end portions of said two upstanding longitudinal flanges to prevent transverse and rotational movement' frame so that the handle extends transversely of the frame.

2. In a mop construction, the combination of a rigid elongated unitary frame provided with two pairs of integral downwardly projecting and parallel longitudinal flanges each of which pairs of flanges comprises an inner and outer flange between which there is defined a longitudinal groove which is open at its ends and which is partially circular in cross section and open at its bottom through an arc of less than 180, said inner flanges being spaced from each other and at least one of said inner flanges having an opening at a central portion thereof which communicates transversely with the groove associated with said one inner flange and with the space between said inner flanges, a mop unit comprising an e1ongated flexible core member of circular cross section and a flexible tape folded lengthwise around said core memher with its side edge portions depending from said member and being connected below the same with each other and with a plurality of mopping elements which in turn depend therefrom, the core member and folded tape of said mop unit being entered endwise in the grooves in said frame so that its end portions are adjacent each other and are bent transversely into the space between said inner flanges and are in engagement with each other through the aforesaid opening and so that it extends in opposite directions from its said end portions through the groove which communicates with said opening and from opposite ends of said groove into opposite ends of the other groove and through the latter, the folded portion of the tape around said core member substantially fitting said grooves and being in frictional engagement with the walls thereof with the side edge portions of said tape depending through the open bottoms of the grooves and supporting the mopping elements therebeneath, an elongated operating handle, and means connecting an end of said handle to said frame so that the handle extends transversely of the frame.

3. In a mop construction, the combination of a rigid elongated unitary frame provided with two pairs of in tegral downwardly projecting and parallel longitudinal flanges each of which pairs of flanges comprises an inner and outer flange between which there is defined a longitudinal groove which is open at its ends and which is partially circular in cross section and open at its bottom through an arc of less than 180", said inner flanges being spaced from each other and at least one of said inner flanges having an opening at a central portion thereof which communicates transversely with the groove associated with said one inner flange and with the space between said inner flanges, an elongated flexible core member with a circular cross section of diameter slightly less than that of said grooves, a flexible tape folded lengthwise around said core member with its side edge portions depending therefrom and being stitched together along a longitudinal line immediately therebelow to hold the folded portion of the tape tightly closed around said core member, said core member with said tape folded therearound being entered endwise in the grooves in said frame so that its end portions are bent transversely through the aforesaid opening into the space between said inner flanges and are in engagement with each other into the aforesaid opening and so that it extends in opposite directions from its said end portions through the groove which communicates with said opening and from opposite ends of said groove into opposite ends of the other groove and through the latter, the folded portion of the tape around said core member substantially fitting said grooves and being in frictional engagement with the walls thereof with the depending side edge portions of said tape depending through and substantially below the open bottoms of the grooves, a plurality of flexible elongated mopping elements each stitched between its ends to said depending side edge portions of the tape below the open bottoms of the grooves and each looped adjacent its stitched portion so that its end portions depend therefrom. said mopping elements being stitched to the tape at points spaced from their centers so as to form adjacent inner and outer rows of depending end portions of mopping elements with the element end portions in each row of substantially equal length but with the element end portions in the outer row substantially longer than those in the inner row, an elongated operating handle, and means connecting an end of said handle to said frame so that the handle extends transversely of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,374 Burlat May 14, 1929 2,194,214 Arioli Mar. 19, 1940 2,240,419 Rose Apr. 29, 1941 2,686,328 Kirby Aug. 17, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 377,039 Italy Dec. 5, 1939 459,954 Great Britain Ian. 19, 1937 

